City council raised their glass to a proposal to increase the availability of alcohol at the local casino.
Only Coun. Albert Koehler voted in opposition of a proposal for the Treasure Cove Casino to expand their liquor license to allow booze in the slot and gaming areas as well as the poker room.
Currently, liquor service is only allowed in the building's show lounge and cafe, which seat a combined 257 people. The change would bring the total number of alcohol service seats to 1,216.
The hours of liquor sale would not change, remaining from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and none of the additions are for outdoor areas.
Treasure Cove owner John Major said the application was brought about by an increase in feedback from patrons questioning why they could not have drinks on the gaming floor. This type of service can already be found in 13 of the province's 17 casinos.
"We get a lot of questions from patrons, 'why can't we, like at other casinos, take our drink out into the gaming area?' So that's our only intent - for customer service," Major said.
"It's important to note service of alcoholic beverages is not and will not be the primary focus of the casino," said Steven Leach, who made the formal application on behalf of Major.
Leach, who formerly worked in law enforcement, also highlighted the security measures the casino has in place, which consists of two outside security officers who patrol the parking area from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. as well as up to five security officers on duty inside during prime weekend gaming hours.
"We have committed to maintaining our high profile internal and external seucrity and surveillance by adding one additional security officers to the floor of the casino Thursday, Friday and Saturday between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., which will bring out total to six security officers during our peak periods," Leach said.
But Koehler said his opposition to the proposal had nothing to do with security, but rather his own dislike of gambling.
"I believe that the convenient availability of alcohol around gambling machines will contribute to more gambling, so I'm not supporting it," he said.
Coun. Murry Krause said that the proposal is something he would have opposed in the past, but was content with the owner's commitment to providing access to addiction programming.
"I think people make choices about where they access entertainment and I'm game if the casino is as vigilant as it has been in the past about helping people with various addictions," he said.
Councillors Brian Skakun and Lyn Hall both recused themselves from the vote, due to potential conflicts of interest.
With council's support, Major said he was unsure when the change would take effect as the application still has to go before the BC Liquor Control and Licensing Board.
The application is now in the hands of the liquor
